Recalls Update

The following are some of the significant recalls that were announced last month:

SUZUKI RECALLS ITS GSX-R1000

Suzuki Motor Corporation is recalling its GSX-R1000 motorcycles due to reports of and potential cracking or breakage of the motorcycle frame during the operation of this high performance bike. The recall applies to the Suzuki motorcycles made in 2005 and 2006. The recall is being prompted by reports of cracking and breakage of the frame concentrated at the front wheel/fork assembly. Suzuki acknowledged in its recall issued recently that due to the potential for frame failure, a crash could occur resulting in severe injury or death.

Suzuki is advising owners to take their motorcycles to a Suzuki dealership so they may be inspected for cracks and imperfections in the frame around the wheel/fork assembly. If Suzuki finds cracks during the inspection, the frame will be replaced with a new frame which is also retrofitted with a reinforcement brace. Suzuki will also add the reinforcement brace to those GSX-R1000 which do not exhibit cracks or imperfections in the frame. Suzuki is performing the necessary modifications to the motorcycle at no cost to the customer. You can also call American Suzuki Customer Service Department for assistance at (714) 572-1490.

A SECOND RECALL EXPANSION OF CRIBS SOLD BY BABIES’R’US

There has been another recall of Jardine Cribs. Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. There have been about 96,000 units recalled. Previously, in June 2008, 320,000 units were recalled, and in January 2009, 56,450 additional units were recalled. The cribs were manufactured by Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan. The wooden crib slats can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 31 incident reports of slats breaking, including two reports of children becoming entrapped in the gap created by the broken slat on the crib models involved in the recall. In ten of these incidents, consumers reported that their child broke the slat while in the crib. There was one report of minor injuries according to the manufacturer. This recall involves seven models of Jardine wooden cribs with the date codes identified below. Cribs with other date codes are not affected by this recall. The date code and model number are printed on the label located on the inside of the bottom rail of the headboard or footboard. The additional recalled Jardine Cribs are listed below.

The cribs, which were manufactured in China and Vietnam, were sold at KidsWorld, Geoffrey Stores, Toys “R” Us, and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide, and at babiesrus.com, from September 2005 through April 2009 for between $220 and $330. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Jardine to receive a full credit toward the purchase of a new crib. Jardine will provide consumers with detailed instructions for purchasing cribs in retail stores and online. For additional information, contact Jardine at (800) 646-4106 or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.jardinecribrecall.com/.

The chairs were sold by Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide and online at www.buildabear.com from March 2001 through October 2008 for about $8 in the US and from March 2003 through October 2008 in for about $10 in Canada. Return the toy beach chair to any Build-A-Bear Workshop store to receive an $8 USD/$10 CDN store coupon. If it is not possible to return the toy chair to a store, you can contact the company for alternate instructions on receiving a refund. For additional information, please contact the Build-A-Bear Workshop toll-free at (866) 236-5683 or visit the company’s Web site at www.buildabear.com.

EDDIE BAUER PLAY YARDS WITH ROCKING BASSINETS RECALLED

Dorel Juvenile Group Inc., of Columbus, Ind. Has recalled 71,000 Eddie Bauer Soothe & Sway Play Yards in the United States and about 5,600 in Canada. The play yard’s rocking bassinet attachment can tilt even when secured by straps in the non-rocking mode or can stay tilted without returning to a level sleeping surface while in the rocking mode, causing an infant to roll to the corner or side of the bassinet. The infant can then become wedged in the corner or pressed against the side or bottom of the bassinet, posing a risk of suffocation or positional asphyxiation. The firm and CPSC have received ten reports of infants rolling to one side, including six that had their faces pressed against the side or the bottom of the bassinet. One child reportedly was turning purple and was out of breath when discovered. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Eddie Bauer Soothe & Sway portable play yards. The convertible play yard has a bassinet and changing station feature. A mobile with three teddy bears was also sold with the play yard. Models included in the recall are 05046 (all units) and 05044 units manufactured before December 1, 2008. Different models were sold in Canada. Model numbers and manufacture dates are printed on a sticker on one of the support legs underneath the play yard. Manufacture dates are printed in the YY/MM/DD format. The play yards were sold at Target, Sears, and Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide and by Internet retailers from January 2008 through May 2009 for about $150. Consumers should immediately stop using the bassinet attachment of the play yard and contact Dorel Juvenile Group for a $40 voucher toward the purchase of a new Dorel product. Consumers can continue using the play yard. For additional information, contact Dorel Juvenile Group toll-free at (888) 233-4903 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.djgusa.com.

FDA EXPANDS RECALL ON CARACO BRAND DIGOXIN MEDICATION

The Food and Drug Administration and AS Medications Solutions LLC have announced a nationwide recall of all lots of the 0.25 mg. heart medication digoxin manufactured by Caraco Pharmaceuticals Laboratories distributed prior to March 31, 2009. The recall was said to be because they may differ in size and therefore may contain more or less of the active ingredient. This recall follows an alert issued by the company for the Caraco brand Digoxin, USP, 0.125 mg and the Digoxin, USP, 0.25 mg tablets, both distributed prior to 2009. That recall included both 100-count and 1,000-count tablets of both mgs. The latest recall adds the 20-count 0.25 mg tablet to the recall. The specific product included in the recall NDC numbers are:

• Digoxin Tablets, USP, 0.125 mg

• 57664-437-88 (100-count)

• 57664-437-18 (1000-count)

• Digoxin Tablets, USP, 0.25 mg

• 57664-441-88 (100-count)

• 57664-441-18 (1000-count)

Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. A higher-than-labeled dose may pose a risk of digoxin toxicity in patients with renal failure. Digoxin toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, cardiac instability, bradycardia and death. A lower-than-labeled dose may pose a risk of lack of efficacy potentially resulting in cardiac instability.

Last year, Actavis Totowa LLC, a generic pharmaceutical company, initiated a Class 1 recall on Digitek brand digoxin tablets when it was learned that some tablets were oversized and contained twice the level of active ingredient, putting consumers at risk. Consumers of Caraco’s digoxin tablets that fall within the recall should return these products to their pharmacy or place of purchase. Patients who have medical questions should contact their health care provider for additional instructions or guidance.

Cannondale Bicycle Corp. is recalling about 1,500 bicycles because of a faulty part that can cause riders to lose control and crash. The forks in the recalled bikes can lose alignment and cause the front wheel to turn unexpectedly, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a release. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recall involves model year 2008 Cannondale Adventure 2, Adventure 3, Adventure 2 Feminine and Adventure 3 Feminine bicycles. Model names are printed on the bicycle’s frame.

The bicycles have a suspension fork with the words “cannondale AT35 adventure trail” printed on them. The forks are from JD Components of Taiwan. Bicycles equipped with the Rock Shox i-ride fork are not included in the recall, according to the press release. The recalled bikes were sold at Cannondale dealers between February and April and cost between $600 and $800. Consumers should stop riding the bikes immediately and call their dealer for a free repair, the release said.

For additional information, contact Cannondale at (800) 245-3872 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.cannondale.com. Cannondale, based in Bethel, Conn., makes aluminum bikes, offering about 80 models.

ILLINOIS FIRM RECALLS GROUND BEEF PRODUCTS

Valley Meats LLC, a Coal Valley, Illinois, establishment, has recalled approximately 95,898 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

These ground beef products were produced on March 10, 2009, and were distributed to various consignees nationwide. The problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. On May 13, 2009, FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Illnesses have been reported in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company spokesperson at (309) 799-7341.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.